Louisville Football: NFL Playoff Race Is Heating Up For These Ex-Cards

We take a look at the former Louisville football players who are on teams that are in great position to make the NFL Playoffs this year.

Not only is the bowl season getting going, but the NFL is getting closer and closer to their playoffs as well. There are just a few former Louisville football players that are on teams worthy enough to make it into the middle of January and things are starting to get very interesting down the main stretch.

With that being said, let’s take a look at these former Louisville Cardinals in the NFL:

Dec 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) is pressured by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Elvis Dumervil | Baltimore Ravens (8-6) | 2nd in AFC North

The Baltimore Ravens were able to pick-up a close win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon by the score of 27-26. This win kept the Ravens just one game behind the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers who are currently sitting with a 9-5 record.

If the Ravens wants to make the playoffs this season, then they have to beat the Steelers on Christmas day.

If they can beat Pittsburgh, then they will own the tiebreaker, since they have already beaten the Steelers once already this season.

However, a loss to their rival would drop Baltimore to 8-7 with a very slim chance of making the playoffs as one of the two Wild Card teams this season.

Simply put, Baltimore must beat Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Nov 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) walks out of the tunnel before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 43-35. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Harry Douglas | Tennessee Titans (8-6) | Tied for 1st in AFC South

The Tennessee Titans were able to pull of a stunning upset over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. It was an incredible performance that kept Tennessee in the thick of their hunt for the AFC South division title.

They are currently tied with the Houston Texans and still have to play their division rival in the last week of the season. If they win that game, then they will be entering the 2016 playoffs as the AFC South division champions.

The Titans haven’t been in the playoff race in a very long time, but they have a great shot of making the big dance this year.

Tennessee also has a great chance of being the last AFC Wild Card team this season, as the Miami Dolphins are 9-5 and still have to play the New England Patriots.

The Titans win over Miami in early October would give Tennessee the tiebreaker if both the Dolphins and Titans finish at 10-6.

Dec 4, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers (17) runs after a catch as New York Giants outside linebacker Devon Kennard (59) chases during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Eli Rogers & William Gay | Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) | 1st in AFC North

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently one of the hottest teams in the National Football League. They have won five straight games, including their most recent win over the Bengals, with the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns left on the schedule.

The easiest path for Pittsburgh to make the playoffs is if they beat the Ravens and the win-less Browns over the next two weeks.

However, if they lose one of those two games and the Miami Dolphins also finish at 10-6, then the Dolphins would have the tiebreaker and knock the Steelers out of the playoff race.

With that being said, I fully expect for Pittsburgh to win their next two games and win the AFC North.

Oct 9, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) elude Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty (30) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Titans won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

DeVante Parker | Miami Dolphins (9-5) | 2nd in AFC East

The Dolphins were able to get a win over the terrible New York Jets last Saturday night, which kept them firmly in the last AFC Wild Card spot for at least one more week. However, it’s where you finish the season that actually counts.

The Dolphins cannot win the AFC East this season because the New England Patriots have already clinched.

With that being said, they still have a solid shot of making the playoffs, but it would have to be as that last playoff seed.

If Miami wins their last two games, then they will make the playoffs. However, going 0-2 or even 1-1 could mean that Tennessee or Baltimore could sneak back into the playoffs at the very end.